So sorry to keep you wiating. I know I said I wouldn't let a stall happen again (or would try not to anyways), but I got busy with school and a writer's block. Additionally, I was also starting a comic, and have been way too focused on plot ideas for that, so hopefully, that'll die down a bit. Yeah, bad timing. Know that I'll be updating again really soon. like, within the next few days. lol
So, here's the next chapter of this story. I promised it'll get better, and I had a LOT of fun with this chapter. And it's only going to get better. XD
Chapter 9 – Lost, But Not Found
Aeden's eyes widened in fear.
"Yes. You recognize us, don't you?" The Scizor said.
"Good. Then we won't have to introduce ourselves." The Sneasel commented.
"I think it's about time we take our leave. The scouts will think to look in the forests, if they haven't started already."
"Yes. We'll have to hurry if we want to make it before dawn."
"Deal with him quickly then." The Scizor said, turning towards the road. The Sneasel raised her right claws high above her head, and brought them swiftly down upon the Vulpix.
Riverside Valley
The sun was rising high into the sky by the time the young fox began to regain consciousness. The sun's golden light poured over the valley's hills and cliffs, and reflected off of the gentle river. The Sneasel dropped him and sat down to rest.
"Do we have any food? We've been running for hours." She sighed.
"This is not a good place to rest. There is no cover should a scout come this way." The Scizor said, scanning their surroundings.
"Oh please. They're probably still searching the woods." The Sneasel said, picking up a rock and throwing it into the river.
"Very well. I give you five minutes."
"Tsk, figures you wouldn't be tired. You haven't had to carry him at full speed."
"If it'll improve your attitude, then I'll take him." The Scizor said. The light reflecting off of his red skin.
"Would you really?"
"…" He glared at her.
"Time is up." He said quietly.
"What? But it hasn't even been a minute." The Sneasel complained, standing up.
Aeden was picked up by the Scizor's large, steel claws, and was instantly sent flying through the air. He would've been terrified if it hadn't been for the Scizor holding his scuff, not that it wasn't painless.
Hours passed, and the three eventually passed over the mountains. Grass and trees turned from green to brown. Grass gave way to rocks, and rocks to snow. Higher and higher, they rose in elevation. Breaks started becoming longer, and runs shorter. Aeden looked back towards the direction he thought was home. The bright green forests were so far away, he couldn't even see them. Finally, the three passed over the ridge of the mountains and began descending down the other side.
What Aeden saw there was unimaginable to him. While his side of the mountain range was filled with lush, green forests and fields, the other side was completely covered in snow and ice. The large blanket of frozen water reached as far as the eye can see. He would say it was a barren wasteland if it weren't for the trees that became more numerous the farther down they went.
"You think this is the spot?" The Sneasel asked as they neared a small clearing.
"Yes. If I'm not mistaken, this is where we stop."
Aeden, as curious and cautious as he was, couldn't care less where they were. He had lost track of all the landmarks they had passed along the way, that he now dropped into the snow.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
"Stop. He has the right to be tired. After all, we haven't given him any food or water all day."
"Well, I guess you're right. We did travel a long way."
"Ah well. I guess it can't be helped. When does it appear?"
"Soon. If we're not too early."
"Or too late."
"No. The sun hasn't gone down yet. Aeden, if you're so thirsty, I suggest you wait. You will be taken care of shortly."
"I wish they'd just let us go in and out as we please."
Minutes passed to an hour and the Sneasel had taken to meditation. The Scizor remained standing, still as a statue, and only stared at one of the rocks.
Aeden had grown cold from the snow and air, and had been fidgeting to get the piece of wood off of his muzzle. The ropes that bound his paws had been removed when the Scizor no longer wished to carry him, which had then forced him to walk alongside his captors.
He had wondered if anyone knew of his absence, then remembered about Flare, and how closely he watched him. That leap of faith, and trust that he would not get into any trouble had been squandered. If this truly was their destination, and no one knew where to look for him, then he was on his own. With no one to back him up, he would have to fight as hard as he could to escape and make it back to safety, if there was such a thing.
The Sneasel opened her eyes and jumped up from her rock. "About time!" She growled, as the floor in front of the rock began to shift, revealing an underground staircase.
The Scizor relaxed and grabbed the Vulpix by the scruff and dragged him in. And just before entering, the Sneasel noticed the piece of wood on the snow. Walking over, she picked it up. "Now now. We can't have you leaving any clues behind." She turned around and walked down the stairs before the ground shifted back into place.
The three began walking through a dark hallway. Torches did not run along the walls of the passageway, light did not slip through holes from the ceiling, and the two did not produce any objects of light, nor use any light producing move. However, Aeden was dragged through it at a steady pace. A turn to the right, a turn to the left. The Scizor kept walking as if the hallway was lit. Very faintly, Aeden could hear the Sneasel counting her steps. And at the very end, The Sneasel bounded forwards and opened the double doors that marked the end of the tunnel.
The doors sounded with a loud thud, as they bounced off of the walls.
"Ah, it's good to be back!" The Sneasel said excitedly, claws raised towards the ceiling.
"Calm down, you know what lies before us."
"Er, right. But afterwards–" She said, lowering her claws and stepping aside.
"Not now." The Scizor cut in. The room they had entered was a large, round chamber, with steps leading to the center. The walls were emblazoned with torches and black and red banners. Cloth hung from the center of the raised ceiling and was pinned to the tops of the walls.
The two walked down, with Aeden more or less dragged, until they reached the center of the room. The floor shifted, and the room began to rise. Startled, Aeden quickly realized that the room was not moving up, but in fact, they were moving down. And quickly, too.
The large elevator shaft was dark, and windy, and it eventually began to slow down to a stop. The Scizor and Sneasel walked through the entryway, forcing Aeden to follow. This hallway was large, and decorated with some of the same black and red banners that adorned the previous room.
On the other side, a large metal door opened and two, green guards walked out and positioned themselves on either side. The large, long leaves on their heads flowed in what little wind was created from the pressure change.
They stepped in walked towards the center of the room. Aeden was tossed forwards as the Scizor and Sneasel got on one knee and bowed deeply.
The room, Aeden saw, was filled with green and red marble. Banners and round, blue stones lined the walls, and the ceiling was covered by a large black fabric.
"Rise." A Dark voice said. A chill ran through Aeden's whole body as he turned suddenly to look upon the source. But he could not see it. A cloth blocked the room's light from reaching it, and only a piercing blue eye glared at him. Behind the creature and its throne was a large, black wall, reaching from floor to ceiling.
"What have you brought before me?" The voice asked.
"My king, this is the child we spoke of. This is the only survivor of the attack."
"Ah. Yes. The young fox who escaped the Burning."
"Young kit, you will follow the example shown by others and bow before me." The dark voice said.
Aeden trembled in place, and was promptly shoved to the ground. He recoiled as his nose slammed against the floor, and quickly held it in his paws.
"That's better. Now, tell me your name."
"That's… none of–"
"Your name!" The voice yelled. A powerful shockwave pushed Aeden onto his back. Aeden was held against the floor by nothing but the figure's power. The air grew heavy and pain started to creep through his body, starting from his feet and moving up his legs.
"Ae…Aeden." He finally said, succumbing to the figure's power. And the figure let go. The pain vanished and Aeden breathed heavily.
The figure had not moved, and the Scizor and Sneasel still bowed before him.
"That's a good boy. I sense potential in you." The figure purred. "Aeolus, Kakia, take him to one of the holding pens. While he's here, we might as well show him some hospitality."
"Yes, my master." The two said in unison before the Sneasel picked up the Vulpix.
"Oh, and put a collar on him."
The two bowed once more and left the room, the large metal door closing behind them.
Yay! So excited. Can't wait to continue writing tomorrow! Xp
Oh, and please tell me what you think! I've noticed a fair amount of people checking back to see if I've updated yet, so that must mean I'm doing something right. If you have an thoughts on where I can improve, please tell me, help me get better.